Dear All,

Now, it's the time of electronic and digital media. We are subscribing and buying non-print media frequently over the print collection because rapid growth in information production. Platforms of e-journals are almost purposeful and attractive across the publishers but there are lots of differences in e-books. Before subscribing/buying or signing contract of e-books, we must check some points which are very important and necessary. I have listed some key points here;

1. E-books means not only .pdf, there are several formats available subject to the digital reading devices.
2. Don't buy if accessible only in their recommend apps.
3. Don't buy on subscription basis. Library may not have budget in future to renew the eBooks license.
4. If your library has the same copies in print format ask publisher to give their digital copies free.
5. IP based access is always better than account based access. But, you can decided subject to your campus arrangements.
6. Download and print feature must be open, not restricted.
7. Library can download and keep a copy of all the ebooks. This to be agreed by publisher.
8. There could be even more...

Mostly bigger global publishers give all these features with their subject collections but we need to be careful in dealing with third party service providers.

Thank you.